GURU GRANTH SAHIB
The Central Religious Scripture Of Sikhism
Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a Granth (book) originally compiled by Fifth Guru and named as Adi Granth, and later recompiled by all the gurus that followed him. The Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, appointed it as the Eleventh Guru. It is the ultimate teacher of the Sikhs.
According to Guru Gobind Singh’s poet Sainapat, Bhai Nand Lal and Dhadi Nath Mal, all of who were present at Nander, a day before the Guru’s demise, the Sikhs enquired as to whom he was entrusting his Khalsa. Bhai Nand Lal in Rahitnama says the Guru replied he has three forms: nirgun (invisible), his word, and sargun (the visible). After his physical death, his soul would be invisible. His second form would be Adi Granth (not Dasam Granth): “Dusar Rup Granthji jan, Mera rup Granthji jan. Is men bhed nahin kuchh man.” The third form, sargun or the visible, was the Khalsa. He added that he had bestowed his physical form upon his Khalsa. The Guru accompanied by Khalsa went to the place where Adi Granth had been installed. He opened the holy book, placed five paise and a coconut before it, bowed before it, then went around the sacred scripture five times, bowed every time, and declared it as the Guru for all times to come. Up until this time, the holy book was called Pothi Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh Ji named it Granth, consisting of two words, Gur and Ant meaning eternal Guru. He asserted: “In the future, whoever wishes to seek enlightenment, guidance and solace, let him read the holy granth. This is your Guru forever and ever till eternity. ” The Guru said that he was entrusting the Khalsa to the care of Akal Purukh (God). He affirmed:
Dusar Rup Granth Ji Jan, Un Ke Ang Mero Kar Man
Jo Sikh Gur Darshan Kee Chah, Darshan Karo Granth Ji Aah
Jo Mam Sath Chaho Kar Bat, Granth ji Parhe Bichare Sath.
Jo Muj Bachan Sunan kee Chah, Granth ji Parhe Sune Chit Lahe
Me Mero Rup Granth Ji Jan, Is Men Bhed Nahin Kuchh Man
The Granth is second myself (Guru Granth, not Dasam Granth, which was compiled later by Bhai Mani Singh). It should be taken for me. A Sikh who wants to see me, should have a look at the Granth. One who wishes to talk to me, should read the Granth and think over it. One who is anxious to listen to my talk, he should read the Granth and listen to its recitation with attention. Consider the Granth as my own self. Have not the least doubt about it.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s last sermon, which is now a part of the Sikh daily prayer after Ardaas:
Aagya Bhai Akal Ki Tabhi Chalayo Panth,
Sab Sikhan Ko Hukum Hai Guru Manyo Granth.
Guru Granth Ji Manyo Pargat Guran Ki Deh.
Jo Prabh Ko Milbo Chahe Khoj Shabad Men Leh
Under orders of the immortal being, the Panth was started. All the Sikhs are enjoined to accept the Granth as their Guru. Consider the Guru Granth as a representation of the Guru’s body. Those who wish to meet God can find the way in its hymns
Thus, the Eleventh Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, was born. The holy scripture has 1430 pages of text in poetry form. It is full of devotion, meditation, and the grace of Guru and God. It includes hymns of more then 20 Hindu and Muslim saints of India. It is the only holy book in world, which was written by its founder of religion. The Bible was not written by Christ, neither was the Quran, but the Granth was written by all Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind. Guru Granth Sahib Ji also contains the hymns of famous saints of their time, who were irrespective of caste, creed, and religion.
Adi Granth
Sikh sacred scripture
Adi Granth: literally means “the first book.” This is the early compilation of the Sikh Scriptures by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, in 1604. This Granth (Book) is the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji added further holy Shabads to this Granth during the period of 1704 to 1706. Then in 1708, before taking leave for his heavenly abode, Guru Gobind Singh Ji affirmed the Adi Granth as the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs and the Granth then became known as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The Adi Granth is the central object of worship in all gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and is accorded the reverence paid a living Guru. It is ritually opened in the morning and wrapped up and put away for the night. On special occasions continuous readings of it are held, which last from 2 to 15 days. On the birthdays of the Gurus or anniversaries commemorating Sikh martyrs, the Granth is sometimes taken out in procession.